cataclysm

noun

cat·​a·​clysm ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm 

1

: flood, deluge

2

: catastrophe sense 3a

3

: a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition

broadly : an event that brings great changes

an international economic cataclysm

cataclysmal

ˌka-tə-ˈkliz-məl 

adjective

or cataclysmic

ˌka-tə-ˈkliz-mik 

cataclysmically

ˌka-tə-ˈkliz-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of cataclysm

• flood
• torrent

Examples of cataclysm in a Sentence

floods, earthquakes, and other cataclysms

The country barely survived the cataclysm of war.

The revolution could result in worldwide cataclysm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nothing better illustrates that AMERICA IS BROKE than how an increase in yields that wouldn’t seem to matter much in most times could spell a cataclysm now that our fiscal state’s so fragile. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 30 May 2026

Many in the then small circle were models and professionals, drawn to a mix of Eastern philosophy, astrology and New Age thinking—and the belief that a global cataclysm would strike in 1999. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

As with the Dred Scott decision that preceded the Civil War, such a blatantly undemocratic move portends some great cataclysm. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026

These cataclysms locked inside the Delaware Basin more than 46 billion barrels of technically recoverable crude oil, and 281 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. —Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French cataclysme, from Latin cataclysmos, from Greek kataklysmos, from kataklyzein to inundate, from kata- + klyzein to wash — more at clyster

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cataclysm

• alyssum

Kids Definition

cataclysm

noun

cat·​a·​clysm ˈkat-ə-ˌkliz-əm 

1

: a great flood

2

: a violent and destructive natural event (as an earthquake)

3

: a violent social or political change

cataclysmal

ˌkat-ə-ˈkliz-məl 

adjective

or cataclysmic

-mik